Garden State South Artificial Reef

Garden State South Artificial Reef

5.1 Nautical Miles off Spray Beach
Depth: 55-65 ft [download]


M60 tanks reef
M60 tanks undergo a thorough cleaning before use as reefs

The Artificial Reef Program used four types of obsolete Army armored vehicles as artificial reef materials off the New Jersey coast. These were cleaned at local military bases, loaded onto barges for transport, and pushed off at their final destination. Once the Army had disposed of its excess inventory, the program ceased, around 1999. The Artificial Reef Program has sunk almost 400 tanks altogether, far too many to list them here in this website.



Holgate reef
Type:
artificial reef, trawler
Built:
? Holgate NJ ?
Specs:
( 65 ft )
Sponsor:
Farreny Boat Yard, Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club, ALO
Sunk:
Tuesday October 25, 1994 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS:
39°33.404' -74°06.452'
Depth:
60 ft

GS Miller reef
Type:
artificial reef, barge
Specs:
( 90 x30 ft )
Sponsor:
Caldwell's Diving Company, Fish America Foundation
Sunk:
Tuesday October 10, 1989 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS:
39°33.621' -74°06.528'

rock reef
A hopper barge full of rock

All manner of concrete, steel, and stone rubble from dredging, demolition projects, and other construction is used as artificial reef materials. This material is generally available at very low cost or free from construction companies who are more than happy to get rid of it. Transportation costs determine where this material is used by the Reef Program.


Starcraft reef
Type:
artificial reef, barge
Built:
1936, Port Richmond, NY USA
Specs:
( 150 x 40 ft ) 684 GT
Sponsor:
Eklof Marine, Ocean Wreck Divers club, Artificial Reef Association, Village Harbor Fishing Club
Sunk:
Wednesday May 11, 1994 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS:
39°33.528' -74°06.309'

Rhino reef
Type:
artificial reef, crew boat
Specs:
( 50 x 13 ft )
Sponsor:
Caldwell's Diving Company, Absecon Saltwater Fishermen
Sunk:
Friday May 27, 1988 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS:
39°33.693' -74°06.123'
Depth:
65 ft

Ocean Wreck Divers I reef
Type:
artificial reef, MLB-44 patrol boats ( 2 ), US Coast Guard
Built:
1963, Curtis Bay MD USA
Specs:
( 44 x 12 ft ) 20 tons
Sponsor:
Ocean Wreck Divers (USCG 44333)
VHFC - Village Harbor Fishing Club, GDF (USCG 44322)
Depth:
OWD - 60 ft
VHFC - 80 ft
Sunk:
OWD - Tuesday July 11, 1995
VHFC - Tuesday May 16, 1995 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS - OWD:
39°33.426' -74°05.973'
GPS - VHFC:
39°33.496' -74°05.991'

Dutch Springs contains many interesting artificial reefs for divers to explore. In fact, even the hole itself is man-made - it is an old limestone quarry.

Although all of the land-side facilities have been demolished to make room for warehouses, the quarry itself is still open in a limited way - training dives only.

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